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Md. Jobul Hussain (right) of Hamtramcklistens to a speaker while joining with over one hundred people with the United and Concerned Citizens of Hamtramck to demonstrate against ISIS. Detroit Free Press

At a time of heightened national rhetoric over Muslims in the United States, a chorus of local interfaith leaders gathered in front of Hamtramck’s City Hall on Friday to offer a different narrative by denouncing the actions of ISIS and proclaiming their love of America.

“They are not representing Islam at all,” said Dewan Akmol Chowdury, a community activist, speaking of the perpetrators of recent terrorist attacks. “Islam is a religion of peace.”

A chorus of roughly 20 speakers addressed well over 100 residents who formed a ring in Winfield Park. Some held a giant American flag, while others held a large banner condemning ISIS and terrorism of all kinds.

Many of speakers repeated a similar message: Muslims in America reject the actions of ISIS and want to live in peace and help the country prosper. “Islam does not teach one to kill or hate others,” said Imam Abdul Latif Azom. “I pray for the families of the victims as if they are my own.”

Omar Zokari (left) of Hamtramck and Mohammad Al Ngar of Hamtramck listen to a speaker while gathered with over one hundred people to demonstrate against ISIS on Friday December 11, 2015 at Winfield Park in Hamtramck.(Photo: Detroit Free Press)

Many leaders also used the occasion to refuse Donald Trump’s recent calls for a travel ban on Muslims. Azom called Donald Trump a “racist” and a “hypocrite” who called for a travel ban on Muslims while doing business in the Middle East.

And joining the many Muslim speakers were Polish leaders, who also expressed their support. One of those was Thaddeus Radzilowski, president and co-founder of the Piast Institute.

“We welcome all the newcomers,” Radzilowski said. “That kind of hatred cannot be allowed to live in our society. We condemn this and we stand with them because they’re our neighbors, our friends ... but we’re also people of Hamtramck.”

Hamtramck recently came under the national spotlight soon after electing what is believed to be the country’s first majority Muslim city council. Four of the six council members will be Muslim, with three of those members of Bangladeshi descent and one of Yemeni descent.

Hamtramck was once known for its Polish population, but is now about 24% Arab (mostly Yemeni); 19% African American; 15% Bangladeshi; 12% Polish; and 6% Yugoslavian (many Bosnian), according to U.S. Census figures. The percentage of residents who are Muslim is unclear since the U.S. Census does not ask about religion. Estimates of the Muslim population range from one-third to more than one-half of city residents. But Radzilowski has told the Washington Post that the various Muslim ethnic groups don’t often intermingle because of barriers in language.

Over one hundred people gather with the United and Concerned Citizens of Hamtramck to demonstrate against ISIS on Friday December 11, 2015 at Winfield Park in Hamtramck.(Photo: Detroit Free Press)

“Hamtramck is not your typical American city,” Bill Meyer of One Hamtramck told the crowd, referring to the majority-Muslim council. “But that doesn’t matter. We’re going to show the rest of the country and the world that we’re all going to get along.”